Pages

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Healthy Colorado plan records progress

We are happy to announce the second annual progress report on Colorado’s 2015‐2019 plan for improving public health and the environment, Healthy Colorado: Shaping a State of Health. The plan focuses on obesity prevention and mental health and substance abuse, the top concerns in communities across Colorado, and includes Colorado’s 10 Winnable Battles.

Mental health and substance abuse: We have made steady progress advancing policy and community approaches to improve the social and emotional health of mothers, fathers, caregivers and children and increasing safe prescribing practices and permanent disposal sites for controlled substances.

Safe marijuana use: Fewer people self-report driving after using marijuana - the goal was 17.9% by 2017 and we reached 16.1% in 2015.

Clean water: All of our water goals have either been met, or are trending in the right direction.

Reductions in youth tobacco use: 8.6% of of high school students were current smokers in 2015. This is significantly lower than in 2013, and surpasses our goal of 10.0% by 2020.

Unintended pregnancy: We have seen a steady increase in the the percent of Title X female clients using long-acting, reversible contraceptives - the goal was 30% by 2019 and we reached 31% in 2015. The birth rate among 15 to 19-year-old teens continues to decrease.